Villain's Valor: A Noble Fantasy Resurrection

Chapter 95 : Surprise

"Sister!" The piercing sound of the child's voice echoed throughout the room, breaking the silence with an air of urgency and excitement. A tiny girl, with a determined expression etched on her face, stood on a chair, her hands clutching a handful of colorful stickers.

With her arms stretched to the fullest, she struggled to reach the top of the door, her furrowed brow reflecting her frustration at the challenging task ahead. Despite her persistence, her short stature stood between her and her goal, making her appear even smaller compared to the height of the door.

Several minutes passed in a futile effort to adhere a sticker depicting a fierce dragon, her unsuccessful attempts painting a picture of childlike perseverance. Dressed in a delicate white dress contrasting with the darkness of her little black shoes, her hair adorned with a delicate pink headband, she radiated an irresistible innocence and tenderness.

Elsa was in the same room that had served as refuge for Ema's family during the recent months. As she listened to Ema's energetic cry from the other room, her face lit up with an ironic smile. Clad in a kitchen apron around her waist, and with pastry gloves covering her hands, Elsa was immersed in the fragrant atmosphere emanating from the kitchen.

Her hair was tied back in a simple ponytail, displaying a practicality that mirrored her commitment to the culinary task at hand. The delicate and tantalizing aroma of strawberry cake filled the air around her, enveloping the room in a cozy and homely aura.

Next to her, Nicol, Ema's mother, shared the same attire as Elsa, indicating a harmonious collaboration in preparing a delicious cake. Together, they were making a beautiful two-tiered cake.

Nicol pursed her lips with a mix of exasperation and tenderness upon hearing her daughter's cry. "I told her she should have waited until we finished baking the cake," she murmured with a hint of reproach.

I couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle under my breath, trying to ease the tension. "Don't be too hard on her," I said compassionately. "She's just trying to help. Besides, she's excited because today is the day Anthony returns."

As I mentioned before, today is the day Anthony will return from Zone 3, so we decided to throw a small surprise welcome party. For that, we made a small cake of his favorite flavor. Throughout this time, I felt very lonely; if it weren't for Ema, who came to play with me every evening, I would undoubtedly be very sad.

In the mornings, I always went to the guild to practice my swordsmanship until the afternoon; I never stopped practicing on any of these days.

"I'll be right back," I said with a tone of voice laden with apologies, aware that I didn't want Nicol to scold Ema. I had witnessed her fury in the past, and it was not something I wanted to repeat; her anger was truly terrifying, transforming her into someone I barely recognized. Fortunately, so far, she had only shown that facet of her anger with her husband.

Leaving the pastry gloves on the table with a hurried gesture, I left the room with quick steps. As I entered the hallway, my eyes fell on Ema, who was struggling on a chair to reach the top of the door. Her hands stretched desperately toward her goal, while beads of sweat dotted her forehead.

"Ema, let me help you," I offered with a warm smile. I looked at her closely, noticing her reddened eyes and the tears of frustration she was barely holding back. She nodded slowly and descended from the chair, handing me the stickers with a resigned gesture. I gently stroked her head in an attempt to comfort her, then turned my attention to the top of the door. I frowned realizing how high it was.

I carefully climbed onto the chair, balancing cautiously as I ascended to reach the necessary height to place all the stickers in place. A sigh of relief escaped my lips upon completing the task, but what truly illuminated the room were Ema's eyes, shining with excitement and gratitude.

I looked around and realized that the room was adorned with all kinds of decorations stuck on the walls. The atmosphere was undeniably vibrant and festive, with brightly colored balloons floating in the air and garlands adorning every corner. The effort dedicated to decoration had transformed the space into a place full of joy and anticipation.

"This is amazing!" Ema exclaimed with excitement as she saw the whole place; her eyes roamed around the room, and I had to agree with her. It will be a great surprise for Anthony.

Several more hours passed, and everything was ready and set for Anthony's long-awaited arrival. In the center of a table stood a magnificent two-tiered cake, adorned with a vibrant strawberry color that invited to be devoured. On top of the cake, a candle shaped like a small dragon added a touch of charm and fantasy to the celebration.

Around the cake were various dishes of food, each prepared with care and presented exquisitely. The aroma of mixed spices filled the room, creating an intoxicating fragrance that promised a delicious and memorable feast.

In the room, Ema, Nicol, Roberto, and I waited patiently for Anthony's arrival. The excitement was palpable in the air as we shared expectations.

*****

Lysandra and I finally arrived in the city, walking together along the bustling main street, our fingers intertwined in a gesture of complicity and affection. I watched as her red eyes sparkled with a mix of joy and curiosity, as if every corner of the city were a new world to discover.

At that moment, she seemed like a complete child, completely fascinated by the hustle and bustle and diversity around her.

I couldn't help but notice the furtive glances and whispers that followed us as we walked. Although it deeply annoyed me, I decided to ignore them and focus on enjoying our time together. Lysandra, for her part, kept asking me questions about the different items that caught her eye, demonstrating an insatiable curiosity for everything she saw.

Despite the lively activity reigning in the streets, no one approached us or made any move towards Lysandra. Although I appreciated that no one tried to bother her, I didn't want to kill anyone right now...

We continued walking for a few more minutes, taking our time to absorb every detail of the surroundings. It was truly enjoyable to experience this radical change of scenery. During our stay in Zone 3, company was limited to ourselves and the surrounding trees, with the constant worry about the demons lurking in the shadows.

However, here in the city, we were surrounded by a crowd of people, and this was comforting.

It was a relief to see the vitality and activity on every corner, to be able to interact with other human beings and share moments in community. The mind and senses relaxed knowing that at least we were safe.

We finally arrived at the inn where Elsa and Ema's family were supposed to be. The place looked as familiar as ever, with its cozy and lively atmosphere. Upon entering, I was impressed by the scene unfolding before us: numerous people were sitting, chatting animatedly while enjoying a meal or drink.

It was a comforting sight to see so many people gathered, sharing laughter and conversations in such a warm and welcoming atmosphere. We made our way through the tables until we reached the reception, where I addressed the receptionist with a greeting gesture, nodding politely.

Next to the reception, there were spiral staircase leading upstairs. I guided Lysandra towards them, and we began to ascend to the fifth floor. As we climbed, the hallway was lit by lanterns embedded in the walls, emitting a soft and welcoming light of light linen color. The floor was covered by a fine carpet with a decorative design of straight lines, adding a touch of elegance to the atmosphere.

Upon reaching the door of our room, I frowned at the unusual silence that reigned in the hallway, a silence that seemed too oppressive.

Suddenly, a soft and pleasant voice resonated behind me, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Is this where you live with that girl?" she asked with a superficial warmth that did not match the tension I perceived in her eyes. Although her voice sounded friendly, her eyes exuded an unclear and even suspicious intention.

Meanwhile, pretending not to notice the discrepancy between her tone and her gaze, I replied confidently, "Yes, this is it."

With a slow and calculated movement, I opened the door to the room, and suddenly, a thunderous scream echoed throughout the fifth floor.

"SURPRISE!"

My eyes widened as did my mouth; everyone came out of hiding, and confetti filled the air, in the middle of it all was a large strawberry cake.

My lips curved into a smile automatically.

"I'm back"